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Peru: The top political stories of 2018

00:00 | Lima, Dec. 31.

The resignation of former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the release of audio recordings that triggered a crisis in the justice system, investigations into political leaders' ties with corruption-tainted Odebrecht were 2018's major news stories on Peru's political agenda.

Below is the review of the top political events of the old year:

January 9

Ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski administered the oath of office to members of his reshuffled cabinet —deemed as the Reconciliation Cabinet— led by Mercedes Araoz.

As is known, various ministers submitted their resignations after Kuczynski granted a humanitarian pardon to former President Alberto Fujimori on Christmas Eve 2017.

January 18

Pope Francis arrived in Peru for a four-day visit covering three cities (Puerto Maldonado, Trujillo, and Lima). His tour concluded with a major mass at Las Palmas Air Base in the Peruvian capital.

February 16

The Peruvian Government withdrew the invitation previously extended to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to attend the 8th Summit of the Americas in Lima.

February 28

Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata testified before Peruvian Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez in Sao Paulo saying he gave US$700,000 for Alejandro Toledo's presidential campaign, US$300,000 for Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's, and US$1 million for Keiko Fujimori's.

March 8

A group of legislators filed a second impeachment motion against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, on the ground of moral incapacity, for his links with Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

March 20

Fuerza Popular political party released a video showing lawmakers —led by Kenji Fujimori— allegedly negotiating public works in exchange for votes against the impeachment motion pending on then-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

March 21

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned as Peru's president after nearly 20 months in power in the face of a forthcoming impeachment vote and amid scandal.

March 23

Martin Alberto Vizcarra Cornejo was officially named President of the Republic of Peru for the 2018-2021 term.

The 55-year-old engineer —who replaced Ex-Head of State Pedro Pablo Kuczynski— had been serving as Vice-President and Ambassador to Canada based in Ottawa.

March 24

Peruvian Prosecutor's Office raided two homes owned by ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as part of an investigation over money laundering. Additionally, a judge barred him from leaving the country.

April 2

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra swore in 19 State Ministers, 10 days after having taken office as the new Head of State and Government.

April 5

Peruvian Prosecutor's Office raided the homes of Lima's former Mayor Susana Villaran (2011-2014) and ex-municipal manager Jose Miguel Castro, as part of an investigation over alleged payments made by Brazilian company Odebrecht to an electoral campaign launched by Villaran.

April 13

The 8th Summit of the Americas started in Lima. The two-day event gathered Heads of State and Government of the Western Hemisphere, who addressed one of the most important issues facing the region: the fight against corruption and adopted the Lima Commitment (Democratic Governance against Corruption).

April 30

Former President Ollanta Humala left Barbadillo prison facilities in Lima's Ate district nine months after being ordered to preventive detention.

Previously, his wife former First Lady Nadine Heredia departed Lima-based women's prison.

Days ago, the Constitutional Court overturned the order Humala and his wife had received in July 2017.

May 7

Peruvian Money Laundering Prosecutor's Office seized former President Ollanta Humala's home and other properties linked to him, as part of investigations into Odebrecht's alleged contributions to his presidential campaign.

May 25

Peru submitted ex-President Alejandro Toledo extradition file to the U.S. Department of State.

The extradition appeal was made by the First Preparatory Investigation Court for alleged crimes of influence peddling, collusion, and money laundering.

June 1

Eyvi Agreda —a femicide victim who was set on fire inside a public transport bus in April— passed away at Lima-based Guillermo Almenara Hospital. Her death encouraged authorities to take stricter measures to combat gender violence.

June 7

Peruvian Congress suspended legislators Kenji Fujimori, Bienvenido Ramirez, and Guillermo Bocangel —while their criminal proceedings are ongoing— after it approved a constitutional accusation against them.

June 15

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the State should submit —not later than October 29— information on the progress made by the constitutional jurisdiction in the control of the "pardon on humanitarian grounds" granted to Fujimori.

June 28

Pope Francis appointed Archbishop of Huancayo Pedro Barreto Jimeno as new Cardinal of Peru during a consistory in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

July 7

Investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros released audio recordings implicating former Callao Superior Court President Walter Rios, National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members, and ex-Judge Cesar Hinostroza in corrupt practices.

July 19

Judge Duberli Rodriguez tendered his irrevocable resignation as Chairman of the Judicial Branch.

His stepping down came amid a crisis in the justice system, which led to designing a comprehensive reform of the Judiciary.

July 20

Supreme Prosecutor Pedro Chavarry was sworn in as Attorney General for the 2018-2021 term, amid a corruption scandal involving members of the country's justice administration system.

July 26

Fuerza Popular (Popular Force) legislator Daniel Salaverry was elected as the new Congress Chairman for the 2018-2019 term.

July 28

President Martin Vizcarra delivered his address to the nation from Parliament headquarters during Independence Day celebrations. In his speech, he proposed holding a referendum to submit four political-justice reforms for public consultation.

September 3

The 4th Binational Cabinet took place in the Bolivian city of Cobija under the leadership of Presidents Martin Vizcarra (Peru) and Evo Morales (Bolivia).

September 11

After 26 years, Shining Path terrorist group head Abimael Guzman and other leaders were sentenced to life in prison over the Tarata Street bombing that claimed the lives of 25 people in Peru.

October 3

Peruvian Preparatory Investigation Court accepted the plaintiffs' claim to annul the humanitarian pardon granted to former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).

A judge issued search and arrest warrants against Fujimori in order to send him back to jail.

However, his son Kenji took him to Lima-based Centenario Clinic where he currently stays.

October 4

Congress approved that suspended judge Cesar Hinostroza be dismissed, banned from holding public office for 10 years, and accused of organized crime involvement.

October 7

Exit polls revealed that Accion Popular party's candidate, Jorge Muñoz, defeated his opponents in Lima's mayoral race to become Peruvian capital city's next mayor.

October 10

Peru's Judicial Branch placed Fuerza Popular opposition party leader Keiko Fujimori under detention for ten days. Preliminary detention was ordered for other 19 people, including former Congress Chairman Jaime Yoshiyama.

October 19

Former Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza was arrested in Madrid (Spain) after he left the Andean country despite a travel ban imposed on him by the Judicial Branch.

November 1

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori was transferred to prison, where she would serve 36-month preventive detention over alleged money laundering charges, as ordered by a judge the previous day.

The judge considered she posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe.

November 12

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain visited Peru. According to the Inca country's Foreign Affairs Ministry, their presence helped strengthen the solid friendship with Spain and renew deep historic-cultural, economic, and cooperation ties binding the two nations.

November 18

Former Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez (1985-1990; 2006-2011) requested asylum to Uruguay's Government. Garcia entered the residence of the Uruguayan Ambassador —based in Lima— the previous night.

November 28

The Judicial Branch approved the request to forbid Mark Vito Villanella —Fuerza Popular party leader Keiko Fujimori's husband— from leaving the country for 36 months, within the framework of an ongoing investigation related to alleged money laundering offenses.

December 6

National Police members detained Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF) President Edwin Oviedo to investigate him for alleged participation in a criminal organization.

December 9

Peruvians approved three constitutional reforms and rejected one at a referendum called by President Martin Vizcarra.

(END) FHG/CCR/RMB/MVB

Published: 12/31/2018

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